Symptoms and Treatments for B-12 Deficiency

Vitamin B-12 deficiency is not a light subject matter. A recent article by Carly
Romalino in The Gloucester County Times points out that B12 deficiency, caused by
inadequate diet, slow nutrient absorption or drug consumption (e.g. Metformin),
triggers permanent damage to the nervous system in advance stages. Treatment of
the disease varies from oral pills, natural foods consumption, to injectibles.

Diagnosis

Vitamin B-12, an important nutrient found in the blood, is responsible for cell
metabolism. It is primarily involved in blood formation and nervous system functions.

A person with possible B-12 deficiency is subjected to a Full Blood Count (FBC)
Test. This blood test measures the hemoglobin concentration. The FBC result should
register 13.5 hemoglobin grams per blood deciliter (g/dl) for males or 11.5 g/dl
for females. A lower hemoglobin count means that you are suffering from anemia and
possible Vitamin B-12 deficiency.

Aside from hemoglobin count, the doctor will also measure the size of the red blood
cells (RBC). If enlarged RBC is observed, you are diagnosed with B-12 deficiency.

Symptoms

A person with B-12 deficiency is generally anemic due to low hemoglobin count. While
early stages of the condition show no symptoms, longer exposure to the condition
literally cripples the victim.

A busy person may find these things as hindrance to his productivity: memory loss,
fatigue, balancing disorders, muscle numbness, decrease of sense of touch, and visual
impairment. Unfortunately, a person who suffers from lack of B-12 in the body will
go through these symptoms.

Aside from that, the disease can trigger waste disposal irregularities prompting
the victim constant visits to the bathroom to urinate or move the bowels. The sufferer’s
skin is noticeably yellowish in tint. He feels cold all the time and suffers palpitations.

Psychologically, the person is vulnerable to irritability, disorientation, violent
behavior, mood swings, loss of ability to think, and hallucinations. The sufferers
feel uncomfortable and can’t understand the emotions felt.

Treatments

The general treatment of most doctors is the oral intake of B-12 supplements. The
supplements might be in the form of a pill or a liquid. These supplements include
adenosylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, methylcobalamin, and hydroxocobalamin. Recommeded
daily dosage is 250 ug to 1 mg. Oral intake higher than that is already considered
as overdose. Oral medications however are questioned if they encourage full absorption
of Vitamin B-12 since there are possibilities that the body will just excrete the
supplements from the body without circulation in the bloodstream.

A more aggressive treatment is the injection of Vitamin B-12 supplement directly
into the body. If the patient’s body is not able to produce its own B-12 nutrient
anymore, a regular administration of methylcobalamin, cyanocobalamin, or hydroxycobalamin
injectibles is recommended throughout the patient’s life. More often, injections
are recommended for quick relief of patients from physiological and psychological
symptoms.

An alternative route to deficiency treatment is the consumption of foods that are
naturally rich in B-12. This nutrient is often found in foods that are rich in protein
including meat, poultry, eggs, fish, soy milk, milk and milk products, and fortified
cereals.